In 508 B.C. the city state of Athens was in an uproar. The common people turned on their ruling elite because of the oppression and tyranny they had been experiencing. What sets this time apart from all that had gone before is that this was the very first uprising where the common people successfully overthrew their rulers. This action was unprecedented and would pave the way for the governmental democracy–“a government of the people and for the people.” But this was not accomplished through mob action. It would require a highly skilled and wise design to make this work. As this overthrow was taking place, the skill and leadership of Athenian nobleman, Cleisthenes, would be called upon. He would become a central figure in the development of democratic ideas and practices.
In this article, we will see how in God’s Story of Grace, divine providence continues to shape humanity toward increased freedom and dignity after the image of God in the Trinity (the balance of unity and diversity-the three in one). In another current of divine movement, God’s sovereignly works to introduce democracy from the West.
Why Democracy in Greece?
Geography
What were the conditions which allowed democracy to develop in Greece and Athens (which became the dominant city) in particular? One major factor was the geography of Greece. As a country it is comparable in size to Alabama in the U.S. or England in Europe. Yet, the landscape is riveted with approximately 300 mountains which separated the many city-states such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes and Delphi. This made it very difficult for one king or monarch (like Cyrus of Persia) to rule the entire territory. This landscape naturally fostered a greater degree of local independence and fierce identity among each urban territory. This setting uniquely provided fertile ground for people to adopt and be governed by self-rule.
Olympic Games
Another important factor which allowed for democracy to germinate and grow in Greece was the Olympic games. Once every four years men gathered to compete in athletic skills. The competitions had been founded 200 years prior to the founding of democracy. What made these games stand a part was that they were open to all so that anyone could compete and win. These were also very popular with as many as 40,000 Greeks gathered to watch the sporting events. This environment created the idea of meritocracy where all could participate and be involved.
Economic Growth
Farming of olives prospered in Athens because of the amount of olive trees there. Economically olives provided oil, soap, and lubricants which became in increasing demand. The ancient Mediterranean had the greatest market place around the world providing an economy for Athens to flourish in the sale of olives and olive-based products. This caused Athens to economically prosper. In addition, Athens produced exceptional pottery. Though potters were the lowest of the low in society, pottery became of staple of the kitchen and transportation. The potters were very competitive wanting to outdo each other. This led to the capacity for extraordinary achievement among those considered to be in the lower class. It was for this reason that Athens was ripe to discover democracy among the city-states of Greece.
The Historical Cycle of Tyranny
In this background of a rising meritocracy and wealth of the Athenian population, the common people experienced increased discontent with their rulers. The common people were no longer content to be subjugated at the hands of their rulers. They demanded more of a voice in their civic affairs and were no longer content to be subjected to the ups and downs caused by the good and bad rulers of their city-states. Good rulers provided relief by way of tax reform, fair trials, debt relief during times of poor harvests, etc. Others provided hardship by increased taxation, harsher laws, land confiscation, abuse of rights, etc. People experienced the cycle of ups and downs that came from good and bad rulers, though mainly bad. During the year 508 B.C. the people of Athens were ready for the cycle to come to an end. They revolted, overthrowing their rulers. To guide them in constructing a government which gave agency to the people, they turned to Cleisthenes.
Cleisthenes and Democracy
Cleisthenes was born around 570 B.C. He was from his earliest days an aristocrat, an elite person separated from the common people. Aristocrats controlled everything and held power against everyone else. For example, the center of Athens was the Council of the Areopagus, which consisted of rulers called Archons. Nine archons were chosen each year by lot among the elite and wealthy classes. This ensured that the office of Archon perpetuated aristocratic rule. Sometimes good men would become an Archon and exercise positive reforms. One such ruler was a man named Solon who influenced the adoption of many laws which helped the poor: expanded citizenship, reforming weights and measures, forgiving debts of slaves, etc. The challenge which always occurred was that there were eventual problems of tyranny wiping out the reforms of the good rulers. So, whether the rulers were good or bad, the people were powerless in the cycles of ups and downs.
This brings us to 508 B.C. After the end of another tyranny, two factions competed for power to reshape the government of Athens. One was led by Isagoras, whom Aristotle calls a “friend of the tyrants.” The other was led by Cleisthenes who sought to befriend the lower classes. Isagoras won a victory by getting himself chosen as Archon in 508 B.C. In their rivalry, Isagoras called on the Spartan king Cleomenes to help him evict Cleisthenes from the city. When the Spartans occupied the city and tried to disband the government and expel all opposition, the Athenians rose up against them and those allied with Isagoras and drove them out. This was the very first time in history where the people stood against their leaders and overthrew them. With the overthrow of Isagoras and those allied with him, Cleisthenes was free to impose his reforms. This marks the beginning of classical Athenian democracy which fundamentally redefined how the people of Athens saw themselves in relation to each other and to the state.
For Cleisthenes the task was given to create a government which could escape from the pointless cycle of violence and tyranny. He must now give people a say in their future. He could not put in a tyrant or Aristocrats. He had people meet at the Acropolis. Rich and poor alike could address their fellow citizens. Government was not decided by the sword or class but by persuasion and voting. To accomplish this, it required several innovations:
- Cleisthenes help to foster a common political identity. He managed to convince the Athenians to adopt their city-name into their own. So, where formerly an Athenian man would have identified himself as “Demochares, son of Demosthenes;” after Cleisthenes’ reforms he would have been more likely to identify himself as “Demochares from Athens.” Using identification with the city name de-emphasized any connection (or lack thereof) to the old aristocratic families and emphasized his place in the new political community.
- Each city had a “demarch,” like a mayor, who was in charge of its most important functions: keeping track of new citizens. As young men came of age, the demarch kept track of all citizens from the city eligible to participate in the Assembly, and selecting citizens from the city each year to serve on the Council.
- He arranged the central and most populous part of Greece into regions where representatives would meet as a council. This helped citizens to take an interest and be concerned beyond regional issues. This caused people to work together beyond their own families and tribes.
All of these reforms constituted a remarkable re-shaping of Athenian society along new lines. Old associations, by region or according to families, were broken. Citizenship and the ability to enjoy the rights of citizens were in the hands of immediate neighbors, but the governing of Athens was in the hands of the Athenian people as a whole, organized across boundaries of territory and clan. The new order was sealed as citizens adopted their city-names into their own names.
Through the work of Cleisthenes, God’s Story of Grace makes a remarkable step forward in bringing the ordered unity of the whole with the greater personal dignity of the many.
Story of Grace 